Apparatus for operating a tape perforating machine particularly for setting type fortelephone directory listings



c. N. BREWER 3,112,065 APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A TAPE PERFORATING MACHINE Nov. 26, 1963 PARTICULARLY FOR SETTING TYPE FOR TELEPHONE DIRECTORY LISTINGS Filed Sept. 20, 1962 INVENTOR CLA/RE N. nswbjk" ATTORNE'YJ)` `@OT- fm United States Patent O APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A TAPE PERFO- RATING MACHINE PARTICULARLY FOR SET- TING TYPE FOR TELEPHONE DIRECTGRY LISTINGS Claire N. Brewer, Colorado Springs, Colo., -assignor to International Typographical Union of North America, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Filed'Sept. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 225,052 4 Claims. (Cl. 234-4) Description of the Drawing The single FIGURE of the drawing is fa circuit diagram showing parts of an auxiliary apparatus for operating lthe keyboard of a tape-perforating machine, as provided by the invention, and also showing parts of a tape perforating machine.

Specification This invention relates broadly to the operation of keyboards of machines which are used in the art of typecasting, typesettin-g and the transmission of messages and, more particularly, to machines which per-forate tape which is used in the operation of typesetting or typecasting machines or the sending of messages, 4typewriting machines, electrotypesetters, Photon machines, machines for `the automatic electrical control of typesetting or typecasting machines, Varitype machines, machines for typing matter from which any printing plates are made, and the like. While the invention is useful in the operation of lthe keyboards of such machines, it will be lparticularly described in this application in connection with, and as applied to, auxiliary apparatus for operating `a machine which perforates tape which is used to operate and control a typesetting or typecasting machine such as the Linotype, lntertype and Monotype machines.

-It has, for many years, been the general practice in the printing art to cast and `set type by the use of machines -such as the Linotype. Such machines rare `equipped with a special keyboard usually having ninety keys, although sometimes a greater and sometimes a smaller number of keys are provided, and the opera-tion of such machines must be performed by highly skilled personnel who are yable to operate the special keyboard and perform other duties essential to the most efiicient operation of these very complex machines.

It has heretofore been proposed to operate `such typecasting machines by means of a perforated tape prepared on a machine having a keyboard which corresponds to the standard typewriter keyboard with the addition of certain keys `for performing operations and producing characters which are necessary in printing but not in typewriting. Such machines are now available commercially, a typical one being known as the Teletypesetter. lt has been found, however, that the over-all eiiciency and cost of typecasting with the use of such auxiliary tape periforating machines are less kfavorable than the eiiiciency and cost of operation with the use of skilled Linotype operators lwho are particularly skilled in the operation of typecasting machines having the standard Linotype keyboard. The use of machines Afor perforating tape for the operation of typecasting machines has become widespread, however, and it will be apparent that further and very important advantages would be produced in the over-all efficiency and costs of a printing plant by the operation of such machines by skilled operators having knowledge of the entire typecasting, typesetting and printing operations and, particularly, being skilled in the use of the standard Linotype keyboard.

In my United States Letters Patent Nos. 2,679,902, 2,737,240 and 2,737,616, and in United States Letters Patent to Happel, Arvin and Murphy, No. 2,739,649,

ICC

there is disclosed apparatus, including a keyboard having 'keys positioned and arranged substantially as in astandvard Linotype machine keyboard, for association with a tape perforating machine such as the Teletypesetter, which apparatus, upon operation of its keys, will actuate the keys 'of the tape perforating machine to per-forate tape in the normal manner of operation of the tape perforating machine. The apparatus provided -by these patented inventions -Will be referred to hereafter in this specification as the auxiliary .keyboard apparatus, and the tape perforating machine will sometimes be referred to as the (G'Is.'l

The present invention has t-o do with this auxiliary keyboard apparatus and, while it will be described in this specification in connection with aspecic problem, namely, the setting of type for telephone directory listings of name, address and number, it is to be understood, and is and will be so understood by those skilled in the art, that it is of general utility and application in the typesetting and composing iields.

In the setting of type 'for printing modern telephone directories a major increase in cost and expenditure of time is cause-d by the necessity to transpose the letters of the conventional telephone number into numerals, Thus, the vconventional telephone number AD 2-2543 must be transposed to the modern number 2.32-2543 because, on the conventional telephone dial, the letters A and D correspond, respectively, to the .numbers 2 and 3. On the y.conventional dial the letter groupings, with their corresponding numbers, are the following:

ABC 2 MNO 6 DEF 3 PRS 7 GHI 4 TUV 8 JKL 5 VVXY 9 In setting type or punching tape to set type yfor printing telephone directories having the all-number listing it has been ynecessary ifor the operator to transpose the letters of the conventional listing to the corresponding numbers in accordance with the foregoing table. This transposition must -be `done either'rnentally `or by visual reference to ia table and, in either case, has caused loss of time and added cost. It lhas therefore been 'a principal object of this invention to provide means for eifecting this transposition upon depression of each letter key of the auX- iliary apparatus, which is one of the letters of vthe conventional telephone number, so that the operator is relieved entirely of .the necessity of making the letter to number transposition.

It will be observed that all telephone numbers, -as now universally used, have a group of three units, which may be two letters and one number or three numbers, and a group 'of four units, which are always all numbers, the two groups being separated by a hyphen, as illustrated by the number 232-2543, which is referred to above. Thus, in setting the type for a telephone `directory listing of all-number numbers, the column of numbers, e.g., 2322543, is justified at both the left and right sides. However, because of differences in the widths of the name and address part of the listings, the distance between the end lof such part and the first number o-f the allnumber listing varies from line to line. This has required the operator to compute ifor each line the number of leaders required between the name and address part and the number part of each listing, with consequent loss of time and added cost, and it has been another principal object of the invention to provide means for stopping the leadering operation at the proper place to begin the operation of perforating the tape with the perforations characteristic of the telephone number or, if type is being set directly, to begin the setting of the telephone number.

With this means for stopping the leadering operation at a predetermined number of matrices from the end of the line there is associated the means yfor causing automatic transposition of the letters of the telephone number into numerals and, in the preferred embodiment of lthe invention which is described in this specification, the conventional counting pointer which -is associated with the counting scale of the tape perforating machine is employed as the means for operating these means. Thus, in `the operation of a tape perforating machine through the medium of auxiliary apparatus such as is disclosed in the aforesaid Letters Patent, the invention provides means for causing the movement of the counting pointer to a predetermined position on the counting scale to stop the operation of the lcadering device of the perforating machine, and also t-o operate the means tor causing, letter to number transposition in perforating for the telephone number itself.

In the drawing forming part of this specification there are illustrated the conventional counting scale 2 and counting pointer 4 4of a tape perforating machine such as the Teletypesetter, and reference is made to United States Le-tters Patent Nos. 1,968,056, 2,021,151, 2,083,608 and 2,189,545 for a more complete description of the structure and operation of this scale and pointer. The scale has a series of graduations extending from at the right-hand end of the scale to 45 at the lent-hand end, and the pointer moves from left to right over the scale. In operation, the TTS counting scale is set for the type size to be composed and for Athe measure of the line. As the various characters are touched by the operators fingers on the keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus, the counting pointer 4 moves over the scale from left to right. However, when the spaceband lever is struck, the counting pointer remains stationary, but the counting scale, which is attached to the right-hand pointer 6, moves from right to left. Each movement of the scale represents the minimum width of the Linotype spaceband, while the left-hand pointer 8 moves a greater distance to the left, corresponding to the maximum thickness of the spaceband. Thus, the counting mechanism not only accumulates the sum of the brass widths of the matrices for a line, but it also indicates the tot-al range of spread of the spacebands which will justify the line on the casting machine. In operation, when the counting pointer 4 is between the two justification pointers 6, 8 the line may be ended. The operator depresses the return and elevate keys -of the keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus and proceeds with the next l-ine.

The TTS keyboard comprises a plurality of keys representing all of the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0 to 9, and various other character keys which are required for printing. This keyboard is well known and is illustrated in various United States Letters Patent, for example No. 2,000,029. In the drawing, a number of these keys are shown, these being the keys 10, 12, 14, which are the a, b and c keys, respectively, and key 16, which is the 2 key. In addition, `the m, n and o keys of the TTS keyboard are shown but are not identified by reference numerals, but only by the letters of the alphabet which they represent. For purposes of simplicity not all of the letter keys of `the 'ITS keyboard are shown in the drawing, but it will be understood that those not shown are included by reference, and the operation of the means provided by the invention for all of the keys will be made clear by description of the operation of the means provided in connection with the a, b, c and 2 keys.

There are also shown in the drawing the essential parts of the auxiliary apparatus provided by the inventions of my aforesaid Letters Patent and the Happel, Arvin and Murphy patent for operating the keys of the TTS. These parts of the auxiliary apparatus for operating the 2, a, b and c keys of the TTS keyboard comprise the 2, a, b and c keys of the keyboard of the auxiliaiy apparatus,

,4 which keys are shown at 20, 24 and 26, respectively, and which may be either the lower or upper case keys of the Linotype keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus. In `accordance with the inventions described and claimed in said Letters Patent, depression of any one of the letter, number or other character keys of the keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus causes energization of a solenoid operatively associated with the corresponding letter, number or other character key of the 'TTS keyboard to operate the same and produce a characteristic tape perforation. The solenoids 28, 3i), 32 and 34 are operatively associated, respectively, With the 2, a, b and c keys of the rITS and one terminal of the winding of each of these solenoids is connected to a source of electrical energy, While the armature of each solenoid is positioned above the associated key of the tape pcrforating machine keyboard.

The 2 key 20 of the auxiliary apparatus keyboard, when depressed, closes the contacts of a normally open switch 36, one contact of which is grounded at 38 and the second contact of which is connected to the second terminal `of the winding of solenoid 28 by lead 40. Depression of key 20 closes switch 36 and completes the circuit through the winding of solenoid 28, energizing the same and causing the armature to depress the "2" key 16 of the tape perforating machine keyboard to produce the characteristic 2 tape perforation. All of the number keys of the keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus and of the tape perforating machine are constructed and operable and have associated with them the same parts as described in connection with the 2" keys 20 and 16 of the two keyboards. However, for purposes of simplicity of drawing and description only one other number key is illustrated in the drawing, this being the 6 key of both keyboards. Thus, the 6 key 50 of the keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus when depressed, closes a normally open switch 52, one contact of which is grounded and the second contact of which is connected to one terminal of the winding of a solenoid 54 through lead 56, the second terminal of lthe winding being connected to a source of electrical energy. Depression of key 50 closes switch 52 and completes the circuit through ythe winding of solenoid S4, energizing the same and causing the armature to depress the "6 key 58 of the tape perforating machine keyboard to produce the characteristic 6 tape perforation. As stated, the other number keys 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 0 of the auxiliary apparatus and the tape perfor-ating machine are constructed, connected and operable and have the same parts as described in connection with the 2 and "6 keys of the two keyboards.

The a key 22 of the auxiliary apparatus keyboard, when depressed, closes a normally open switch 60, one contact of which is grounded at 38 and the second con- -tact of which is connected to the movable contact 62 of a single-pole double-throw switch 64 which is normally in engagement with fixed contact 66 of the switch which, in turn, is connected to the open terminal of the winding of solenoid 30 by lead 68. Depression of key 22 will close switch 60 and complete the circuit through switch contacts 62, 66, lead 68 and the winding of solenoid 30, energizing the same and causing the solenoid armature to depress `the a key 10 of the tape perforating machine keyboard to produce the characteristic a tape perforation. The b and c keys 24, 26 of the keyboard of the auxiliary apparatus are similarly connected to operate the b and c keys 12, 14 of the tape perforating machine. Thus, b key 24, when depressed, closes a normally open switch 70, one contact of which is grounded and the other contact of which is connected to the movable contact 72 of a single-pole double-throw switch 74, which is normally in engagement with fixed contact 76 of the switch which, in turn, is connected to the second terminal of the winding of solenoid 32 by lead 78. Depression of key 24 will close switch 70 and complete the circuit through switch contacts 72, 76, lead 78 and the winding of solenoid 32, energizing the same and causing ,the solenoid armature to depress the rb key 12 of the tape perforating machine to produce the characteristic b tape perforation. The c key 26, when depressed, closes a normally open switch 80, one contact of which is grounded and the other Contact of which is connected to the movable contact S2 of a single-pole double-throw switch `84 which is normally in engagement with fixed contact 36 of the switch which, in turn, is connected to the open terminal Vof the winding of solenoid 34 by lead 88. Depression of key 26 will close switch 80 and complete the circuit through switch contacts S2, S6, lead 88 andthe winding o-f solenoid 34, energizing the same and causing the solenoid armature to depress the c key 14 of the tape perforating machine to produce the characteristic c tape perforation.

The switch, solenoid and other means which have been described in connection with the a, b and c keys 22, 24, 2.6 ofthe auxiliary apparatus for operating the a, b and c keys Il0, 12, i4 of the tape perfcrating machine are duplicated Ifor all other alphabet letter keys of the two keyboards with the possible exception, if desired, of the q and z letter keys, which are not found on the usual and conventional telephone dials now in use. Because of this duplication it is not necessary Ito describe the means provided by the invention in connection with each alphabet letter key of the auxiliary apparatus keyboard for operating the corresponding letter key of the keyboard of the tape perforating machine. Further, for simplicity of disclosure, not all of the alphabet letter keys `of the two keyboards are shown in the drawing, only the a, b, c, m, n and o keys being shown. However, all of the other keys of the two keyboards, with operative connections vbetween them as described in connection with the a, b and c keys of the two keyboards, are incorporated herein by reference, and the disclosure is, `and Ywill be, so understood by those skilled in the art.

lln accordance with the invention the alphabet letter keys of the keyboards of the auxiliary apparatus and of the tape perforating machine (in the present example the q yand z keys are not included in this grouping) are divided into groups ,and each group is associated with one of the number keys of the tape perforating machine. In the yexample of the invention being described, which has to do particularly with setting type for `a telephone directory, the telephone dial groupings are adopted and each group is associated with the number with which it is associated on the usual telephone dial. These groups and their associated numbers are set forth hereinbefore in this speciiication and need --notpbe repeated here. However, reference to the list previously set forth will show that the a, rb and c keys form a group which is associated with the number 2, and that the m, n and o -keys form a group which is associated with the number 6.

`In addition to the parts of the tape perforating machine and the auxiliary apparatus which are described above, the tape perforating machine has also an En (or Em) leader key 9i? with which 'there is associated a solenoid 92 of the auxiliary apparatus, one terminal of which is connected by lead 94 to one ixed contact 96 of a single-pole double-throw switch 98 which is mounted on or adjacent to the counting scale 2 of the tape perforating machine, and which is normally in engagement with the movable lcontact ltitl of the switch which, kin turn, is connected to a source of electrical energy. The second ,terminal of the Winding of solenoid 92 is connected to one contact of a normally open switch 102, the second contact of `which is grounded at 38, the switch being normally .open and ybeing closed by depression of the En (or Em) leader key 164 of the auxiliary apparatus. In accordance with the inventions `of my aforesaid Letters Paitent, the En (or Em) leader key 90 of the tape perforating vmachine is operated by depression of the .corresponding leader -key 16M of the auxiliary apparatus, which closes switch y102 and completes a circuit through the Winding of solenoid 92, energizing the same and causing the armature of the solenoid `to depress the vkey 90.

This operation of the vEn `leader key of the tape perforating machine causes Ia tape perforation to be Vproduced which, in setting type, will lproduce .either a .short blank space or a short leader, depending on whether ornot there was-a preceding upper rail or lower rail tape perforation. 'It will be understood that in perforating tape -to be used in setting type for a listing in a telephone directory, the En space key 104 of fthe auxiliary apparatus will be operated successively to produce a line -of short leaders extending .from the end of `fthe address (or Vfrom Ia following space) to the iirst numeral or lletter of the telephone number itself. The number of key operations to produce leaders to till :this .space will -Vary from line to line because of the .diiferences from line to line in the number of key .operations required -to produce all of the tape perforations necessary to set the matrices for the name and address which form the first part of the listing. The number of leader key operations for each line is, therefore, unknown and the calculation thereof by the operator is time consuming and, therefore, costly.

Means are provided by the invention for stopping the operation of the leader key of the tape perforating machine at a predetermined number of type-unit spaces from the end of the line, thereby relieving the operator from the necessity of calculating the number of leader key operations he must imake after completing the name and ,address listing i(or after a space following the name andaddress listing) and, simultaneously with the stopping 0f the leader key, for-causing the operation of any letter key, of any one of the groups of letter keys into which the letter keys of the two keyboards have been divided, to cause the operation o-f the number key associated with the group, thereby to produce the tape perforation characteristic of the number instead of the perforation characteristic of the letter.

The means provided by the invention for stopping operation .of the leader key of the tape perforating machine 4comprise the fixed contact *96 and the movable contact iti@ of the single-pole double-throw switch 98 which, as described, is mounted on or adjacent the counting scale 2 of the tape perforating machine. As hereinbefore stated, eight type matrices are required to set the conventional telephone number, which consists of two groups of three and four numerals, respectiveley, separated by a hyphen. As described hereiribefore, the counting pointer 4 of the tape perforating machine moves from left to right over the .counting scale 2, descending the scale thereon and, when it reaches zero on the scale, indicating the end of the line. In accordance with the invention the switch 98 is so `positioned with respect to the .scale 2 that the movable contact 10.0 thereof is eight divisions up the scale from the zero indication, so that it is engaged by the pointer `4 when eight more ,matrices must be set in .order to complete the line. When so engaged by the pointer the movabie contact 100 is moved out of contact with the xed contact 96 of the switch, thus disconnecting the winding of solenoid 92 from the source of power. As the leader key 9d can only 'be operated by operation of solenoid 92, because of the addition of the auxiliary apparatus to vthe tape perforating machine, the leader perforating mechanism ofthe tape perforating-machine is rendered inoperative by disconnection of the solenoid winding from power.

The means provided bythe invention for transposing the lletters of a telephone number into numerals upon letter key opera-tion compri-se, iirst, the second fixed contact :lilo of the single-pole double-throw switch 98. This fixed contact is normally out of engagement with the movable contact ltitl of ythe switch, which normally engages fixed contact 96, bu-t upon engagement .of the movable contact by the counting pointer 4 (when the pointer is eight units removed from the zero indication of the scale) the movable contact is moved into engagement with xed contact 110 to thereby connect the fixed contact .110 to power through the movable contact. Fixed contact 110 is connected by lead 112 to one terminal of the winding of a relay 114, the other terminal of which is grounded at 38. The movable armature 116 of the relay is connected by `link `118 to the movable contact f each of the two-pole double-throw switches which are included in the operating circuits connecting the letter keys of the tape perforating machine and the auxiliary apparatus. Thus, as shown in the drawings, the link is connected to the movable contacts 62, 72, 82 of the single-poile double-throw switches 64, 74, 84 which are associated with Vthe a, b and c letter keys, and is also con nected to the movable contacts of the single-pole doublethrow switches associated with all of the other letter keys except only, if desired, the q and z keys. These movable contacts normally engage the fixed switch contacts which are connected to the windings of the solenoids which operate the letter keys of the tape perforating machine. Thus, the movable contacts 62, 72, 82 of the single-pole double-throw switches 64, 74, 84, which are associated with the a, b and c keys, normally engage the fixed switch contacts 66, 76, 86.

In accordance with the invention, each single-pole double-throw switch associated with a letter key is provided with a second fixed contact which is connected to the winding of the solenoid which operates the key of the tape perforating machine for the number which is associated with the group in which the letter key is included. Thus, each of the single-pole double-throw switches 64, 74, 84 is provided with a second fixed contact, these being shown at 120, 122, 124, respectively, and these fixed contacts are connected by leads 126, 128, 130, respectively, to the open terminal of the winding of the 2 key solenoid 28 through lead 40. Each of the three single-pole double-throw switches of each group of three letter key operators is so provided with a second fixed contact, which is connected to the winding of the solenoid which operates the key of the number which is associated with the group, which fixed contact is not normally engaged by the movable contact of the switch. Thus, as shown in the drawing, all of the second fixed contacts of the single-pole double-throw switches of the m, n, o group of letter key operating means are connected to the winding of solenoid 54 which operates the 6 key of the tape perforating machine, this being the number associated with the m, n, o group.

Operation The operation of the means and apparatus provided by the invention will be described in connection with the perforation of tape for setting type to print the successive lines of a telephone directory, which is the example of ues of the invention being described in this specification.

Prior to operation of the tape perforating machine and the auxiliary apparatus, the single-pole double-throw switch 98 is set at a predetermined position along the counting scale 2 of the TTS so that the movable contact 100 thereof will be engaged by the counting pointer 4 when the pointer is removed from the zero indication on the scale by the number of matrix units equal to the number of matrices necessary to print the telephone number, which is eight for the telephone numbers now being used. The operator now operates the auxiliary apparatus of the tape perforating machine to perforate tape to set type for the name and address of the listing, after which it is usual to perforate the tape to set a spaceband. The En (or Em or both) leader key of the auxiliary apparatus is now operated for an indefinite number of times, which number need not be known to the operator, until the counting pointer 4 engages the movable contact 100 of the single-pole double-throw switch 98, moving the same out of engagement with fixed contact 96 and into engage- Cil ment with fixed contact 110. This disconnects fixed contact 98 from the source of power and de-energizes solenoid 92, thus stopping the operation of the leader key of the tape perforating machine and preventing further operation until the counting pointer 4 moves to the left on scale 2 and out of engagement with movable Contact 19), which takes place upon depression of the return key when the line is completed.

The engagement of movable contact 100 with fixed contact connects the fixed contact to power and energizes relay 114, causing the armature thereof to move to the left as shown in the drawing. This moves link 118 in the same direction, causing all of the movable contacts of the single-pole double-throw switches which form part of the operating circuits connecting the letter keys of the auxiliary apparatus to those of the tape perforating machine, such as movable contacts 62, 72, 82, which are associated with the a, b and c keys, to move out of engagement with the fixed contacts which are connected to the solenoids which operate the letter keys of the tape perforating machine, such as fixed contacts 66, 76, 86, and into engagement with the fixed contacts which are connected to the solenoid which operates the key of the tape perforating machine for the number which is associated with the letter group, such as the fixed contacts 120, 122, 124. When this takes place the letter keys of the tape perforating machine are rendered inoperative, as they may only be operated by the solenoids of the auxiliary apparatus, and depression of any letter key of the auxiliary apparatus energizes the operating solenoid for the number associated with the group in which the depressed letter key is included. Thus, after engagement of switch contact 100 and 110, depression of any one of the a, b, c letter keys of the auxiliary apparatus will cause depression of the 2 key of the tape perforating machine. Depression of any one of the rn, n, o letter keys of the auxiliary apparatus will cause depression of the 6 key of the tape perforating machine, and so on for all of the grouped letters.

While I have described and illustrated one form which my invention may take, it will be apparent to those skilled in the arts to which it relates that other embodiments, as well as modifications of that disclosed, may be made and practiced without departing in any way from the spirit or scope of the invention, for the limits of which reference must be made to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An auxiliary apparatus for operating the keys of the keyboard of a tape perforating machine having a plurality of letter keys and a plurality of number keys each producing, when depressed, a tape perforation characteristic of the letter or number of the key, said apparatus comprising a keyboard having keys corresponding, respectively, to the letter and number keys of the machine keyboard, first means operable upon depression of any letter or number key of the auxiliary apparatus to operate the corresponding letter or number key of the machine keyboard to produce a tape perforation characteristic of the letter or number of the depressed key of the auxiliary apparatus, the letter keys of the auxiliary apparatus being divided into a plurality of groups each of which corresponds to one of the number keys of the machine, and means operable to cause depression of any letter key of any one of said groups to operate the machine number key corresponding to the group in which the depressed letter key is included.

2. An auxiliary apparatus for operating the keys of the keyboard of a tape perforating machine having a plurality of letter keys and a plurality of number keys and a leader key, each producing when depressed a tape perforation characteristic of the letter, number or leader of the key, and having also a counting scale having divisions each representing the width of the type to be used and a counting pointer movable over the scale to indicate the accumulated width of set type, said auxiliary apparatus comprising a keyboard having a leader key and electrical means operable upon depression thereof to operate the leader key of the machine, a normally closed switch associated with the counting scale of the tape perforating machine and positioned to be engaged and opened by the counting pointer at a predetermined position on the scale, and means operable upon opening of said switch to de-energize the electrical means for operating the leader key of the machine upon depression of the leader key of the auxiliary apparatus.

3. An auxiliary apparatus for operating the keys of the keyboard of a tape perforating machine having a plurality of letter keys and a plurality of number keys and a leader key, each producing when depressed a tape perforation characteristic of the letter, number or leader of the key, and having also a counting scale having divisions each representing the width of the type to be used and a counting pointer movable over the scale to indicate the accumulated width of set type, said auxiliary apparatus comprising a keyboard having keys corresponding, respectively, to the letter, number and leader keys of the machine keyboard, electrical means operable upon depression of any letter or number key or the leader key of the auxiliary apparatus to operate the corresponding letter, number or leader key of the machine keyboard to produce a tape perforation characteristic of the letter, number or leader of the depressed key of the auxiliary apparatus, the letter keys of the auxiliary apparatus being divided into a plurality of groups each of which corresponds to one of the number keys of the machine, means associated with the counting scale of the tape perforating machine and positioned to be engaged by the counting pointer at a predetermined position on the scale, means operable upon engagement of said means by the counting pointer to prevent tape perforation upon depression of the leader key of the auxiliary apparatus, and means also operable upon engagement by the counting pointer to cause depression of any letter key of any of said groups to operate the machine number key corresponding to the group in which the depressed key is included.

4. An auxiliary apparatus for operating the keys of the keyboard of a tape perforating machine having a plurality of letter keys and a plurality of number keys and a leader key each producing when depressed a tape perforation characteristic of the letter, number or leader of the key, and having also a counting scale having divisions each representing the width of the type to be used and a counting pointer movable over the scale to indicate the accumulated width of set type, said auxiliary apparatus comprising a keyboard having keys corresponding, respectively, to the letter, number and leader keys of the machine keyboard, electrical means operable upon depression of any letter or number key or the leader key of the auxiliary apparatus to operate the corresponding letter, number or leader key of the machine keyboard to produce a tape perforation characteristic of the letter, number or leader of the depressed key of the auxiliary apparatus, the letter keys of the auxiliary apparatus being divided into a plurality of groups each of which corresponds to one of the number keys of the machine, a switch associated with the counting scale of the tape perforating machine and positioned to be engaged by the counting pointer at a predetermined position on the scale, means operable upon engagement of said switch by the counting pointer to de-energize the electrical means for operating the leader key of the machine upon depression of the leader key of the auxiliary apparatus to prevent tape perforation upon depression of the leader key of the auxiliary apparatus, and means also operable upon engagement by the counting pointer to cause depression of any letter key of any of said groups to operate the machine number key corresponding to the group in which the depressed key is included.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,678,713 Higonnet et al May 18, 1954 2,838,114 Goetz et al June 10, 1958 3,021,998 Brewer Feb. 20, 1962 

1. AN AUXILIARY APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE KEYS OF THE KEYBOARD OF A TAPE PERFORATING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LETTER KEYS AND A PLURALITY OF NUMBER KEYS EACH PRODUCING, WHEN DEPRESSED, A TAPE PERFORATION CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LETTER OR NUMBER OF THE KEY, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A KEYBOARD HAVING KEYS CORRESPONDING, RESPECTIVELY, TO THE LETTER AND NUMBER KEYS OF THE MACHINE KEYBOARD, FIRST MEANS OPERABLE UPON DEPRESSION OF ANY LETTER OR NUMBER KEY OF THE AUXILIARY APPARATUS TO OPERATE THE CORRESPONDING LETTER OR NUMBER KEY OF THE MACHINE KEYBOARD TO PRODUCE A TAPE PERFORATION CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LETTER OR NUMBER OF THE DEPRESSED KEY OF THE AUXILIARY APPARATUS, THE LETTER KEYS OF THE AUXILIARY APPARATUS BEING DIVIDED INTO A PLURALITY OF GROUPS EACH OF WHICH CORRESPONDS TO ONE OF THE NUMBER KEYS OF THE MACHINE, AND MEANS OPERABLE TO CAUSE DEPRESSION OF ANY LETTER KEY OF ANY ONE OF SAID GROUPS TO OPERATE THE MACHINE NUMBER KEY CORRESPONDING TO THE GROUP IN WHICH THE DEPRESSED LETTER KEY IS INCLUDED. 